The Referrals Committee Mr. Laurence McFerran (in the chair), Mr. M.C Hickey and Mr. N.P Lambert convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), Co. Kildare on 2nd September 2019 to consider the referral of J.A. Heffernan (Rider) by the Stewards at Cork on 17th August 2019.
On the day, following the running of the Barry’s Tea Supporting Marymount Hospice Handicap the Stewards wished to interview J.A Heffernan, rider of Lord Rapscallion, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of the race. Mr. Heffernan accepted that he had three previous breaches of Regulation 10 since the new Whip Regulations came into effect. Having considered the riders acceptance of his disciplinary record in relation to Regulation 10, the Stewards pursuant to Regulation R10.6 referred the matter to the Referrals Committee for consideration.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Heffernan. The Referrals Committee also viewed footage of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Heffernan accepted that he had used his whip 10 times in this race and was therefore in breach of the new whip regulations.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Mr. Heffernan to be in breach of Regulation R 10.3(g) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Considering his record in this regard they imposed a suspension of six days.
The Referrals Committee also considered a referral of Mr. Heffernan by the Stewards at Killarney on 29th August 2019. On the day, following the running of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race, the Stewards wished to interview Mr. Heffernan, rider of Strawberry Picker, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of the race.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Heffernan and having considered the evidence in this case the Referrals Committee did not find Mr. Heffernan in breach of Regulation 10.3.
The cases were presented by Liam Walsh, Stewards Secretary and Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.